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    Home > Meal Type > Sides

    A Simple Salad and Simple Salad Dressing

    Updated: Nov 12th 2020 • Published: Feb 17th 2020 • Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    pin image of salad dressing and salad leaves
    pin image of salad dressing and salad leaves
    pin image of salad dressing and salad leaves
    pin image of salad dressing and salad leaves
    pin image of salad dressing and salad leaves
    pin image of salad dressing and salad leaves

    A simple salad and simple salad dressing, when done well it is an excellent addition to a meal! 

    Opening a bag of mixed leaves is probably the easiest and quickest side dish! But what turns mixed leaves into a great salad is a great dressing. Instead of reaching for a store-bought bottle, make a speedy dressing that tastes amazing and keeps for weeks!

    A great salad dressing is the basis of so many great salads. And with so many variations and ways to make it your own, this simple salad and dressing is the little black dress of salad dressings!

    salad dressing being poured from a glass jar onto salad leaves

    Jump Menu

    • A simple salad
    • Additions/Variations to the simple salad
    • A simple salad dressing
    • Additions/Variations to the simple dressing
    • How long can you keep homemade salad dressing? 
    • Simple Salad and Simple Salad Dressing Recipe

    A simple salad

    This is as simple as it gets, just mixed leaves! Bright and colorful, they add a great crunch and freshness to a meal. We especially like to add a side salad to our pasta dinners! 

    I share a pasta recipe every Friday, and every week a side salad is one of my suggested sides! So I thought it was time to share my basic salad and dressing with you! 

    Additions/Variations to the simple salad

    You can add any extras you love to this salad, but our most common ones are:

    • Chopped cucumber
    • Diced Bell peppers
    • Diced Red onion
    • Roasted pumpkin/sweet potato
    • Grated carrot
    • Chopped pear/apple

    (I never add tomatoes to my simple salad, I prefer tomatoes served like this Brazilian tomato salad)

    a plate of dressed salad leaves

    A simple salad dressing

    This dressing will keep for weeks in the pantry/cupboard. There's no need even to pop it in the refrigerator! And it uses just a few basic ingredients! (see the actual recipe for quantities)

    • White wine vinegar 
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Mustard
    • Honey
    • Salt & Pepper

    These all get mixed together in a measuring cup or small jar, and the dressing is done! How easy is that?!!!

    unmixed ingredients for salad dressing in a glass jar

    Additions/Variations to the simple dressing

    Make this dressing your own with one of these twists:

    • Use apple cider vinegar
    • Use red wine vinegar
    • Use balsamic vinegar
    • Use maple syrup
    • Use a nutty oil (walnut is a fav!)
    • Add some dried herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano, dill)
    • Use a grainy mustard

    Fresh additions (these will limit the time you can keep the dressing)

    • Minced onion
    • Minced garlic
    • Minced ginger
    • Grated parmesan
    • Lemon zest
    mixed up salad dressing in a glass jar on a white mat

    How long can you keep homemade salad dressing? 

    Making homemade salad dressing is fantastic, especially when you can make a bigger batch and save some for another day! 

    The beauty of this simple dressing is that everything is from the store cupboard, so you can easily make this dressing up whenever you are running low.

    The basic dressing will keep for 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator. After this, the flavor of the dressing will degrade as the oil will start to lose its flavor.

    You'll find that keeping the dressing in the refrigertaor; the oil will solidify slightly. This is perfectly normal. Just remove the dressing and place it on the counter, as it comes to room temperature, the dressing will become pourable again. Then just give it a good shake/stir before use.

    If you add any of the fresh ingredients listed above, then the dressing shouldn't be kept for more than three days in the fridge.

    a glass jar of salad dressing above a bowl of mixed leaves

    Enjoy x

    Dishes that work well with a simple salad:

    • Bacon Shrimp Pasta
    • Peri Peri Chicken Tray Bake
    • Easy Persian Chicken Breasts
    • Creamy Tomato Chicken and Chorizo Pasta
    • Creamy Chicken Gnocchi with Spinach
    • Classic Lasagna with Béchamel
    • Greek Salmon with Lemon and Dill
    • Garlic Bacon Pasta


    Pin this recipe for a Simple Salad and Simple Salad Dressing. Pin it here.

    salad dressing being poured over salad leaves
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    5 from 1 vote

    Simple Salad and Simple Salad Dressing Recipe

    A simple salad and simple salad dressing, when done well it is an excellent addition to a meal! Opening a bag of mixed leaves is probably the easiest and quickest side dish! But what turns mixed leaves into a great salad is a great dressing. This simple salad dressing is the basis of so many great salads. With so many variations and ways to make it your own, this simple salad and dressing is the little black dress of salads!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Course: Side
    Cuisine: Modern Australian
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 193kcal
    Author: Claire | Sprinkle and Sprouts
    For more great recipes follow me on PinterestFollow @sprinklessprout
    Need Metric Measurements?Use the options below to toggle between cups and grams (if relevant)
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    Ingredients

    US Customary - Grams

    Small batch (4 servings)

    • 6 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon honey
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • pinch salt
    • pinch pepper

    Big batch (~2 ¼ Cup)

    • 1 ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • ½ cup white wine vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    • Measure the ingredients into a jar or large measuring cup. (A jar is much easier)
    • Shake or stir until the ingredients are well combined.
    • The dressing will keep in the fridge for 3 weeks.

    Notes

    Make this dressing your own with one of these twists (these won't change the length of time you can keep the dressing for):
    • Use apple cider vinegar
    • Use red wine vinegar
    • Use balsamic vinegar
    • Use maple syrup
    • Use a nutty oil (walnut is a fav!)
    • Add some dried herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano, dill)
    • Use a grainy mustard
    Fresh additions (if using these the dressing must be used within 3 days)
    Pour a small amount of your dressing into a measuring cup and then add the fresh ingredients. That way, your big batch can remain in the refrigerator.
    • Minced onion
    • Minced garlic
    • Minced ginger
    • Grated parmesan
    • Lemon zest

    Nutrition

    Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 15mg | Sugar: 1g | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sprinklesandsprouts or tag #sprinklesandsprouts

    More Sides

    • Easy French Ratatouille
    • Indian Basmati Rice
    • Buttered Carrots and Corn
    • Cantonese Fried Rice

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